In motorsport, just like any sport, it’s vital to check the athlete's oxygen intake. The amount of oxygen the body takes in during any physical activity dictates how well an athlete, or in this case a driver, can perform.
Assessing how much oxygen flows through a person’s body during an active state and whether it’s enough to get them through an extended period of physicality without leading to loss of concentration and mistakes is crucial. One of the ways to assess this is with a VO2 max test.
Also called a maximal oxygen consumption test, a VO2 Max test is used to assess the maximum amount of oxygen a person uses during intense activity or exercise. It tests both their cardiovascular fitness and overall aerobic endurance.
This is crucial for athletes because the body requires a lot of oxygen to operate at its peak for any activity, especially physically demanding ones. If a person can maintain high oxygen levels, it indicates that their body is performing optimally.
On the other side low oxygen levels can result in dizziness, nausea, and physical lag. In a sport of split-second decisions like motorsport, this could also be dangerous.
VO2 Max Tests are conducted as a graded exercise using a treadmill or stationary cycle where you physically exert yourself until you are told to stop. The test will reveal how much oxygen you took in and how much was consumed during the heavy physical activity.
At Focus Driver Performance, our testing is done on a treadmill while you are connected to a machine that analyses breathing, heart rate, and respiration. The results reveal how much oxygen was used, expressed as per kilogram of the body weight per minute (mL/kg/minute).
This determines the health of your cardiovascular and respiratory systems and when used over time show how far a fitness regimen has improved a person’s overall fitness.
To many, motorsports may seem far less challenging than other sports. However, as most racers will already understand, this is a major misconception. Competing in motorsport is very demanding on the drivers’ cardiovascular, respiratory, and overall physical health.
Racing takes an enormous toll on the body, as driving at high speeds pushes the driver with enormous G-forces. They also experience extreme heat and stress. As a result, drivers will burn hundreds of calories in one race.
With this in mind, VO2 max testing is crucial for motorsport athletes because it assesses their endurance and respiratory capabilities in an extreme environment. The strain and pressure their body endures require the optimal intake and use of oxygen.
Higher levels of oxygen consumed during a stressful situation ensure that the driver will not faint or become dizzy, no matter the speed of the vehicle or how intense the heat is in the cabin.
There have been many instances of drivers fainting during or shortly after a race. One famous example is Nigel Mansell, who pushed his car to the checkered flag but then fainted due to heat stroke.
Locally, in Supercars racing there have been several recorded instances of drivers suffering from extreme fatigue, particularly during longer, hotter races at street circuits.
Alex Permat being pulled from his car Supercar during the final round the 2012 season at the Homebush street circuit that lead to Scott McLaughlin’s Supercars debut the following day is just one notable example.
Fortunately, these drivers did not lose consciousness during the race, but if they did the consequence could have been much greater.
Drivers who have completed VO2 max testing at Focus Driver Performance have a greater understand their limits and how much they need to improve to not only stay safe during a race but also maximise their performance on track.
Want to know more about how Focus Driver Performance can help you achieve the ideal fitness level? Get in touch with us.